United States Drug Enforcement Administration

MERIDEN, Conn. - Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that KERVIN DIAZ, 39, of Meriden, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in Bridgeport to 95 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for trafficking cocaine.

According to court documents and statements made in court, an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration New Haven Tactical Diversion Squad determined that Harvey Lapan, of East Haven, illegally distributed a variety of prescription and non-prescription drugs, including oxycodone, steroids and cocaine.  The investigation also revealed that Diaz coordinated shipments of kilograms of cocaine from Puerto Rico and also received from cocaine from another source in New York, and distributed the cocaine to New Haven-area drug sellers, including Lapan.  In March 2020, Lapan purchased 250 grams of cocaine from Diaz, and in May 2020, he Lapan purchased 500 grams of cocaine from Diaz.

Diaz and his girlfriend, Alba Nieves, distributed cocaine and marijuana from Diaz’ business, Nino’s Mini Market, located on Washington Avenue in New Haven, and from Nieves’ business, Middletown Café, located on Middletown Avenue in New Haven.

Diaz was arrested on August 24, 2020.  On that date, a search of his and Nieves’ Meriden residence revealed narcotics trafficking paraphernalia, including a large scale hydraulic press, an electronic money counter, and 10 digital scales, many of which that contained cocaine residue.  Investigators also seized from the residence a loaded high capacity 9mm gun magazine, and $5,130 in cash.

Diaz has been detained since his arrest.  On February 28, 2022, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, and one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute cocaine.

Lapan and Nieves pleaded guilty to related charges.  Lapan awaits sentencing.  On May 19, 2022, Nieves was sentenced to three years of probation.

This investigation is being conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration New Haven Tactical Diversion Squad and the New Haven Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys John T. Pierpont, Jr., Amanda S. Oakes, and Conor M. Reardon.